Top 10 Zeaxanthin Suppliers, Manufacturers, Wholesalers, and Traders in South Korea

Founded: 2003 | Location: Seoul

Korea Natural Extracts (KNE) is a pioneer in the zeaxanthin industry, with nearly two decades of experience in extracting and refining natural carotenoids. Specializing in high-purity zeaxanthin (up to 98%) and lutein-zeaxanthin blends, KNE caters to both supplement brands and cosmetic manufacturers. What sets them apart is their commitment to organic sourcing—they partner with local farms to source marigold petals, ensuring traceability from farm to finished product.

Their state-of-the-art facility in Seoul uses supercritical CO2 extraction, a method that avoids harmful solvents and preserves the integrity of zeaxanthin. This focus on clean extraction has earned them certifications like EU Organic and USDA Organic, making them a favorite among brands prioritizing natural ingredients. KNE also offers flexible wholesale options, with minimum orders as low as 1kg for small businesses and bulk pricing for large-scale buyers.

Notable Clients: Global supplement brands, Korean cosmetic giants like Amorepacific | Market Reach: Europe, North America, Southeast Asia

Founded: 2010 | Location: Incheon

BioVision Ingredients is a pharmaceutical-focused manufacturer known for its ultra-pure zeaxanthin, designed for use in prescription eye health supplements and medical foods. Their facility in Incheon is FDA-registered and compliant with ISO 13485, a strict quality management standard for medical devices—reflecting their dedication to precision and safety.

Unlike many suppliers, BioVision specializes in microalgae-sourced zeaxanthin, which offers higher stability and bioavailability compared to marigold-derived options. This makes their products ideal for pharmaceutical applications where consistency is critical. They also invest heavily in R&D, recently launching a slow-release zeaxanthin formulation that enhances absorption in the body. For businesses in the pharmaceutical or high-end supplement space, BioVision's technical support team provides detailed documentation, including COAs and stability studies, to streamline regulatory approval.

Key Products: Pharmaceutical-grade zeaxanthin powder, slow-release zeaxanthin beads | Certifications: ISO 13485, FDA, GMP

Founded: 2008 | Location: Busan

GreenWave Biotech is a leading bulk supplier and trader, known for its competitive pricing and global distribution network. They source zeaxanthin from trusted manufacturers across South Korea and China, then package and distribute it to wholesalers, food processors, and supplement brands worldwide. Their sweet spot is large-scale orders—they regularly fulfill bulk requests of 500kg or more, making them a top choice for businesses with high-volume needs.

GreenWave's product lineup includes both synthetic and natural zeaxanthin, though they've seen growing demand for natural options in recent years. They also offer custom blends, such as zeaxanthin with other antioxidants like astaxanthin, to meet specific formulation needs. With certifications like HALAL and Kosher, they cater to diverse cultural markets, and their in-house logistics team ensures fast shipping to destinations like the Middle East, Europe, and North America.

USP: Fast bulk delivery (3–5 days to Asia, 7–10 days to Europe) | Target Markets: Food/beverage manufacturers, wholesale distributors

Founded: 1995 | Location: Seoul

Seoul Extracts & Chemicals (SEC) is one of South Korea's oldest zeaxanthin manufacturers, with a legacy of quality spanning over 25 years. They specialize in marigold-derived zeaxanthin, leveraging traditional extraction methods combined with modern purification techniques to produce a product that's both potent and cost-effective. SEC's facility is certified organic by both EU and USDA standards, and they pride themselves on their sustainable practices—their marigold suppliers use rainwater harvesting and natural pest control, aligning with eco-conscious brands' values.

Beyond raw zeaxanthin powder, SEC offers liquid extracts and oil suspensions, which are popular in cosmetic formulations like eye creams and serums. They also provide technical support for small brands, helping them navigate formulation challenges and regulatory requirements. With a focus on customer service, SEC assigns dedicated account managers to each client, ensuring personalized support from order placement to delivery.

Product Range: Zeaxanthin powder (5%–98% purity), liquid extracts, oil suspensions | Sustainability: Carbon-neutral manufacturing since 2020

Founded: 2012 | Location: Daegu

Hanmi BioIngredients is a rising star in the zeaxanthin market, focusing on lutein and zeaxanthin blends—a popular choice for eye health supplements, as these two carotenoids work together to support macular health. Their signature product, "Lutein-Zeax Blend 5:1," mimics the natural ratio found in the human eye, enhancing its effectiveness. Hanmi sources marigold petals from Jeju Island, known for its nutrient-rich soil, and uses a gentle extraction process that retains more of the plant's natural antioxidants.

As a wholesaler and exporter, Hanmi serves clients in over 30 countries, with a strong presence in Southeast Asia and Australia. They offer private labeling services, allowing small brands to launch their own eye health supplements without investing in manufacturing infrastructure. Hanmi also prioritizes transparency, providing clients with batch-testing reports and farm audit records upon request.

Key Strength: Expertise in lutein-zeaxanthin formulation | Services: Private labeling, custom blend development

Founded: 2015 | Location: Daejeon

K-Bio Solutions is a tech-driven manufacturer that has made waves with its microalgae-based zeaxanthin. Using patented fermentation technology, they cultivate microalgae in controlled bioreactors, ensuring year-round production regardless of weather conditions. This method results in zeaxanthin with exceptional purity (up to 99%) and stability, making it ideal for long-shelf-life products like multivitamins.

What's unique about K-Bio is their focus on sustainability. Their bioreactors use 70% less water than traditional farming, and they repurpose CO2 from local factories to feed the microalgae, reducing their carbon footprint. They also offer a "zero-waste" program, where byproducts from the extraction process are converted into animal feed, appealing to eco-conscious brands. K-Bio's small-batch production capabilities (starting at 500g) make them accessible to startups and researchers, while their scalable infrastructure can handle large orders as clients grow.

Innovation: Patented microalgae fermentation tech | Sustainability: Carbon-negative production process

Founded: 2011 | Location: Daegu

Daegu Natural Products is a niche supplier specializing in organic zeaxanthin for the cosmetics industry. Their products are certified by ECOCERT and COSMOS, two of the most rigorous organic standards for beauty ingredients, ensuring they're free from synthetic pesticides, GMOs, and harmful preservatives. Their zeaxanthin is often used in anti-aging serums and sunscreens, thanks to its ability to neutralize free radicals and protect skin from UV damage.

Daegu sources marigold petals from organic farms in Gangwon Province and uses cold-press extraction to preserve the plant's natural oils and nutrients. This results in a golden-hued oil that blends easily into cosmetic formulations, providing both color and functionality. They also offer a water-soluble zeaxanthin powder, ideal for lightweight lotions and toners. With a focus on small-batch, artisanal production, Daegu caters to luxury cosmetic brands that prioritize quality over quantity.

Cosmetic Applications: Anti-aging serums, sunscreens, eye creams | Certifications: ECOCERT, COSMOS, Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free)

Founded: 2007 | Location: Gwangju

Prime Extracts Korea is a full-service manufacturer that prides itself on customization. Whether a client needs zeaxanthin in powder, oil, or beadlet form, Prime Extracts can deliver. They work closely with clients to develop tailored formulations, adjusting particle size, concentration, and carrier ingredients to meet specific application needs. For example, their microencapsulated zeaxanthin beadlets are designed for use in chewable supplements, as they mask the ingredient's natural bitter taste.

Prime Extracts' facility is HACCP-certified, ensuring food safety, and they conduct rigorous testing for heavy metals, pesticides, and microbial contaminants. They also offer expedited production for urgent orders, with a turnaround time of just 5–7 days for small batches. Their client base includes food and beverage manufacturers, who use their zeaxanthin to fortify products like energy drinks and functional snacks.

Customization Options: Particle size adjustment, microencapsulation, oil/powder formats | Testing Services: Third-party lab testing, stability studies

Founded: 2012 | Location: Busan

Busan BioTraders is a trader and distributor with a focus on the food and beverage industry. They source zeaxanthin from a network of verified manufacturers, then supply it to companies looking to fortify products like juices, yogurts, and baked goods. Their product range includes both natural and synthetic zeaxanthin, with natural options seeing increased demand due to consumer preference for clean labels.

Busan BioTraders differentiates itself with its deep market knowledge—their team stays up-to-date on global trends, such as the rising demand for zeaxanthin in plant-based milks and vegan snacks, and advises clients on formulation opportunities. They also offer competitive pricing for large orders, with discounts for clients who commit to annual contracts. With a warehouse in Busan Port, they can quickly ship products to international destinations via sea or air freight.

Food Applications: Juices, yogurts, baked goods, plant-based milks | Logistics: Sea/air freight options, door-to-door delivery

Founded: 2014 | Location: Incheon

Rounding out our list is Incheon NutraIngredients, a manufacturer and exporter that focuses on pharmaceutical and nutraceutical-grade zeaxanthin. Their products are designed for use in prescription medications and high-potency supplements, with a minimum purity of 95%. Incheon NutraIngredients uses a proprietary extraction method that removes impurities more effectively than standard processes, resulting in a product with higher bioavailability.

Their facility is GMP-certified and undergoes regular audits by international regulatory bodies, ensuring compliance with strict quality standards. They also offer comprehensive documentation, including DMFs (Drug Master Files) for clients seeking FDA approval for pharmaceutical products. Incheon NutraIngredients has built a strong reputation in Europe, where they supply raw materials to several leading pharmaceutical companies.

Pharmaceutical Focus: High-purity zeaxanthin for drug formulations | Documentation: DMFs, COAs, stability data